October 2 2000
It had been two weeks since Cheryl's furneral. Jonny hadn't relapsed like everyone had thought. Unfortunately Tany was still leery. She just didn't trust him yet. Scott couldn't be at the funeral he was due back in Atlanta. Al had gotten the group several interviews to promote their new single, "Reason". Biff walked into Tany's hotel room and quietly walked over to her bed.
"Tany, you wanted me to wake you up at 4," he said softly. Tany rolled over and smiled.
"Did you get me some coffee?' she questioned.
"Of course. It's on the night stand."
"Oh you are so good to me, what will I ever do without you?"
"You can't, it's impossible." Tany threw her pillow at him.
Catching the pillow he offered "Do you want me to stay?"
"No I think I will be ok, where is Sabz?"
"She is on her way up."
"Ok, I guess I better get up, do you know what time the first interview is?"
"Hmm, nope, that's why you have Sabz. I am heading out, I will check on you in about thrity minutes."
"M-Kay." She heard Biff shut the door.
Slowly she got out of bed. 4 am was way too early for anyone. This was going to be a long day. She knew they had several interviews and she would have to sing several times. She needed to have some tea and honey. But first she needed to run on the tread mill. Five miles should do it.
After running her miles, She went into the bathroom to take a shower, she heard the knock, "Come in Sabz." Sabrina sat the cup holder down. Sabrina knew Tany was going to be singing a lot so she brought her some hot water with honey and lemon, with tea bags.
"Are you getting in the shower?"
"Yes."
Jonny and Jenny were just waking up. They needed to be ready to go at 6:00. It wouldn't take Jonny long at all. Jenny would just do her hair. Jenny was promoted to "The Connors" publicist and she was doing a great job. She was getting "The Connors" names out there.
Jonny was already done getting dressed with what Rebecca had laid out the night before. Sabrina would come by later and do Jonny's hair. Jenny was still in the shower.
There was a soft knock on the door. Jonny went to open it, it was Biff. He had a bag of food and some coffee.
"Is Tany ready?"
"She is going to meet you downstairs when she is ready."
"Jenny, did you hear that." Jonny yelled over his shoulder.
A soft voice said, "Yes, Jonny, I am not deaf." She was standing right behind him.
"Oh thank you Biff for getting us some coffee and is that, those donuts from that store on 9th street?" She gave Jonny a scolding look. He just brushed her off. He had be crouchy the last two weeks. Everyone was walking on egg shells. They didn't want him to go over the edge. Jenny had gotten him a therapist to help him cope with his grieve. No-one not even Jenny knew that Jonny wasn't grieving he was feeling guilty. He asked over and over again, "What if they were still together, would she still be alive?" Jenny smiled softly towards him.
Tany had taken her shower and was drying herself off. There was a knock on her hotel room door. Sabrina answered it, it was Al and Rebecca.
Rebecca was holding some clothes and a pair of boots. Al was drinking a large cup of coffee. Al hated waking up this early but knew they needed to do this.
Tany could hear everyone talking. She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked tired and puffy, but it would go away in another hour. She put her hands on the counter and looked up. She was getting those butterflies she always got when she sang. Her stomach started to hurt. Hopefully Biff would bring her something to eat. She dropped the towel and put the hotel's robe on. Opening the door, Al pointed to his watch. Tany just nodded. That was his cue to let her know she had a little over half an hour. She swallowed and grabbed what Rebecca was handing her. Rebecca and Tany went into the back room. Tany started to get dressed and Rebecca was there to help with the belts and her necklace.
When she was dressed, they walk to the front room. Tany decided she would wear her boots and shirt later. They decided on the outfit Rebecca bought the night before. Al gave Rebecca a quick nod, "Well I better go check on the other half." With that he left the "girls" alone.
Tany sat in a chair so Sabrina could do her hair and makeup.
Al knocked on the door and Jenny answered. "Hey, Y'all ready?" Jonny who was sitting on one of the couches sipping from his cup of coffee, "Yes I am ready just need my hair and makeup and I am good to go."
"Ok, we have a little over half an hour."
"Well, that's my cue to get Ms. Connors some eggs and yogurt." Biff walked out.
"So where are they going to be heading first?" Jenny asked with a smile.
Al smiling, "You set them up you should know." "Yes, but I didn't get all the specifics like you." Jonny who had both hands drapped over the couch started to laugh.
"You two better get this thing together or we will never be "rich and famous".
Jenny walked over to Jonny and sat down. He draped his arm around her. "Is that the goal, Jonny?"
"Yes, I think we need to be super rich and have cars, wine and women. Isn't that right Al."
"You know I think I will take the cars and wine, but women."
"Yeah, not women." Jonny teased. "Oh you two are just nuts." Jonny kissed Jenny on the cheek.
Dream on Dreamers!!
September 20th 2000
Scott, Tany, Johnson and Cintia all stood in silence. Not knowing what to say.
Tany gave Cintia an apologetic look. Cintia just shrugged she knew Tany was feeling bad already. Scott broke the silence, "I guess we should go see if, Jonny needs anything." Tany who didn't know what to say, just nodded. Cintia picked herself off the floor and started for the door.
Tany hesitated still staring at the screen. Johnson put his arm around her. She put her hand on his. She looked up into his eyes. Neither had to say it, but they were both singing in their heads, "Ding Dong the witch is dead." Johnson held the door for Tany. Scott and Cintia were already in the car. Johnson helped Tany in and then got in himself. Tears were starting to fill her eyes, not for her but for Jonny. This was going to kill him. She hoped that he would take it better than they were all thinking he would. Scott started to drive.
"Jonny......Jonny man, I know you are there, talk to me." Jonny sat there hearing Al, like he was in a tunnel. He brought his hand to his mouth, he started to feel sick to his stomach. He grabbed the phone.
Forgetting about Jenny, he walked out in the bedroom. Jenny who had heard the news sat there staring at him. Jonny finally talked into the phone, "Yeh I am here." "Ah Jonny, what do you need." Jonny took a deep breath, trying not to cry. His tongue went over his upper teeth and tears started to come. Jenny jumped up and went to him.
"I-I need......." "Jonny anything man, I will bring it to you." "I need a hit, Al." Jenny who had been just standing there said, "Jonny that wouldn't be the wisest choice right now." Jonny turned to her, "DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT?" Jenny shook her head. "Jonny, come on there is no need for that. I will over there in a few minutes, please don't do anything." Jonny walked over to the bed and he slumped down. Jenny followed suit. Jonny laid on Jenny's lap and just started to cry. He never really stopped loving her. He had saw her about four months ago and she looked really good. It hurt to see her but this was hurting more, because he knew he would never see her again.
Tany and Scott made it to the elevator first. Actually Tany sprinted. Johnson and Cintia were following close behind. They went up the elevator to Jonny's floor. When the elevator door opened, Tany was getting ready to leave, Scott grabbed her arm. "I think maybe you should let me talk." Scott nodded. "Scott that is my brother and I..." Scott cupped her face and kissed her. She shrugged, sighed and swallowed, "Fine, but." "No Buts." Johnson agreed with Scott. "Ok, Fine." "Thank you."
They walked to Jonny's door and Scott rang the doorbell. Beth answered it, Tany was glad that her other brother was there. Tany couldn't see Jonny, he was sitting on his couch. Johnson and Al were in the way. Biff had come just minutes before. He walked over to Tany and put his arm around her. She smiled up at him, then she was able to see Jonny.
His eyes were really red and his face was swollen a bit. She wanted to cry, she did not want to see him like this. Jonny looked up and gave her a half smile. She went over to him and sat down, ignoring what Scott had told her earlier, "Jonny are you OK?" A hush crawled over the room, like a small waterfall running into the creak bed. Tany felt this was a little inappropriate and so did Jonny. Actually that pissed him off, "What? Judas Priest can't she ask me how I am feeling?" Al just shook his head and Tany looked down to the floor, not because she said something wrong, but because they all thought they were going to fight. Jonny lifted her face up, "Mouth, I don't know yet. I just got off the phone with Cheryl's Aunt and she told me the funeral will be on Friday and that I am welcome to go."
"Oh, Jonny I am so sorry," Tany said hugging her brother. This touched him, besides Beth and Jenny, she was the only one to give him condolences. He hugged her back and it felt good to hug her.
Several Days later.................
The funeral was basic. There wasn't much to it. Cheryl's head had been severed so there was a closed casket. Cheryl's mother had asked if Al would be a casket bearer. He obliged. They were all waiting outside the cemetery. Jonny was saying his last goodbye. No matter what, she was his first love. He looked up from her grave and saw Jenny waiting patiently for him. Jonny knew that Cheryl wasn't going to be his last.
Here is a little Video about Cheryl, I know DJ will like it.
Dream on Dreamers!!
